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Definition of Hyperbole
Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker exaggerates for the sake of emphasis. Hyperbolic statements are usually quite obvious exaggerations intended to emphasize a point... read full definition
Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker exaggerates for the sake of emphasis. Hyperbolic statements are usually quite obvious exaggerations... read full definition
Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker exaggerates for the sake of emphasis. Hyperbolic statements... read full definition
Key Examples in The Sense of an Ending
Hyperbole
Explanation and Analysis—Absolutes of Youth:
Although The Sense of an Ending is generally marked by its restrained tone, Barnes occasionally uses hyperbole to capture the intensity of youthful emotion. This is most evident in the dialogue of Tony and his school friends, who speak in sweeping, absolute terms as they debate philosophy. Adrian, for instance, quotes Camus: "suicide was the only true philosophical question." The hyperbolic phrasing here elevates one issue above all others, suggesting that all of philosophy can be reduced to a single choice. In context, this line reflects the grandiosity of the boys' teenage discussions.
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